Parents and candidates of Moons Vocational Secondary School in Kichwamba Sub-county, Kabarole District, are protesting the delay in the release of exam results by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB).
The students who sat Senior Four and Six last year say that months after the official release of the results, all candidates at this center have not received their results. The school has reportedly not explained the anomaly.
The affected group includes 52 Senior Six and 107 Senior Four candidates.Steven Sabiiti Daudi, a parent with candidates in both Senior Four and Senior Six, says he has visited the school at least seven times, asking why their results were withheld. He explains that each time he is told to return next, yet no progress has been made. Sabiiti adds that parents fully paid all required school fees, including a registration fee of 300,000 shillings per student.
He further claims that the school informed parents that it had delayed remitting UNEB registration fees, which attracted a surcharge and may have contributed to the withholding of results. He urged the government to intervene so that the affected learners can proceed with their education.
William Asaba, another parent, expressed concern over the lack of transparency, noting that parents deserve a clear and honest explanation. He questions why the school failed to remit the fees on time despite parents meeting their financial obligations. He adds that many parents struggle to raise school fees in the hope of securing a better future for their children.
Allan Tumusiime, an affected Senior Six candidate, says the school initially assured them that the matter was being handled and results would be released soon, but months later, nothing has changed. Tumusiime adds that he had even filled JAB forms with hopes of getting a government scholarship, but is now afraid that the delay could cost him a chance to join a university.
Vincent Atuhairwe, another student, says the uncertainty is putting their future at risk, as university admission deadlines continue to pass while they remain without results. Ahmed Akampurira, one of the affected candidates, says the delay has led to misunderstandings at home, with parents suspecting he may have misused school fees.
He adds that the situation is also affecting his emotional well-being, and he is currently traumatized by the situation.
Richard Friday the school Director of Studies, called for calm and patience, noting that the school management is working to resolve the issue.
He attributes the challenge to the late remittance of UNEB registration fees, which attracted a surcharge and complicated the release process.He maintains that the school paid the registration fees to UNEB, although late, and that the head teacher is currently in Kampala following up on the matter.
Friday expressed hope that the results will be released before the end of the week.UNEB did not confirm whether the results from Moons Vocational Secondary School had been withheld or the exact reason for the delay.
Jennifer Kalule, the UNEB spokesperson, explained that if a school fails to clear surcharges arising from late registration, results may not be released until the outstanding balance is settled.She added that, however, the affected school can engage with UNEB to agree on a payment plan, which may allow for the release of results as the balance is cleared. URN